Items of Interest

Transcription

Items of Interest

sisters of the good shepherd ~ province of mid-north america
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JUNE 2015
ITEMS
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Chapter underway
Day of prayer
On the western edge
Celebrations of Life
The 30th Congregational
Contemplative communities in
Sr. Joan Spiering discusses her
We celebrate the lives of three
Chapter gets underway on June
St. Louis came together for a
Good Shepherd zeal for care of
Sisters and a Companion who
7 and runs through July 2.
day of prayer on May 4.
the earth.
went home to God in May.
Page 3
Page 7
Page 15
Page 16
PMNA ATTENDS NY ASSEMBLY
Five members of the province leadership team attended the New York Province
Assembly May 15-17. A Mission Partner with the New York Province, Kimberly
Williams, Director of Good Shepherd Volunteers, found the assembly to be a time
for her to experience a greater sense of unity and identity with Sisters and the Good
Shepherd mission. Kimberly shares thoughts about her experience on page 2.
Reigning Roses
Walk
Meals are an important part of province assemblies, as Sisters and Mission Partners
get acquainted and reacquainted during these times. L.-r: Sisters Carol
Beairsto, Debbie Drago and Sharon Rose Authorson break bread together at the New
York Assembly. Sr. Elizabeth Correia passes by in the background.
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Mother's Day 2015 was a
spectacular day for Rose
Haven to host its 2nd annual
Reigning Roses Walk. More
than 350 participants and
volunteers gathered to
celebrate special women in
their lives. Rebekah Albers,
Executive Director of Rose
Haven, said the morning
Continued on page 4
www.sistersofthegoodshepherd.com
JUNE 2015
P RO V IN C E N EWS
Putting our trust in the master builder
By Kimberly Williams
On May 15-17, I had the privilege of joining the Good Shepherd Sisters for their New York Province Assembly. The Good
Shepherd Sisters have a wonderful way of being hospitable, so it did not
surprise me that I felt welcomed right away.
Throughout the weekend there were thoughtful presentations from the Sisters
from Toronto, the Contemplative Sisters, and a few Mission Partners. Sr.
Winifred Doherty led a discussion about the integration of the
Congregational Mission Development Office, Justice and Peace and
Spirituality Committee. Reports were given from the US Provinces and the
Province Direction Statement was reviewed. Table discussions followed each
of the presentations and our facilitator, Sr. Janice Rushman, kept us on task
and on time.
The theme of the weekend was integration, and with that, how to unite,
support, and encourage one another well. As much as I was invited and
encouraged to engage in the discussion and offer my perspective as a Mission
Partner, I also had the sense that I was privy to a special behind the scenes
glimpse of how the Sisters process and grow together. These gatherings seem
to be more than a time of reconnection, but a time of developing unity and
identity. I particularly appreciated the times of prayer.
There was a moving service dedicated to Sisters who have passed away
recently. The opening and closing prayers incorporated Archbishop Oscar
Romero's poem "A Future Not Our Own." These words were a healthy
reminder that from where we stand we cannot know what the future will
Continued on next page
Contemplative Sisters clockwise from top center: Sonia Reyes, NY; Anne
Roussel, NY; Regina McHugh, NY; Sharon Rose Authorson, MNA;
Elizabeth Correia, NY; Theresa Stanek, NY; Beverly Hedgecoth, MNA;
Carol Siegel, NY; Edith Olaguer, NY.
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L-r: Sister Mary Farren, Associate Donna
Genova, Good Shepherd Volunteers
Director Kimberly Williams and Sr.
Elizabeth Correia.
Srs. Anne Roussel and Elizabeth Correia
lit candles as names were read of the six
New York Province Sisters who have
died since their May 2014 Chapter.
JUNE 2015
P RO V IN C E N EWS
NY Assembly Cont’d from p. 2
hold, but that this is an opportunity to trust the master
builder.
I left so encouraged and proud to be in partnership with
the Good Shepherd Sisters. I am excited to translate what
I learned to the Good Shepherd Volunteers who serve in
this mission throughout the North American provinces
and the world, including a hope for this unknown future.
Love abounds at
Chicago House of
the Good Shepherd.
House of love
L-r: Srs. Beverly Hedgecoth, Winifred Doherty,
Congregational J-P Coordinator, Mary Carolyn
McQuaid and Eileen O’Carroll. Eileen’s nephew, Tom
O'Carroll, is on Chicago HGS Board of Director.
This summer PMNA will entrust Chicago House of
the Good Shepherd to Catholic Charities so that the
mission will continue. We will run this story in the July
issue of Items of Interest.
Congregational chapter
The 30th Congregational Chapter of the Sisters of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd is being held from June 7
through July 2, 2015 in Angers, France. Srs. Madeleine Munday, Glynis McManamon and Maureen Johnson are
representing the Province of Mid-North America. Chapter is a spiritual event and time of corporate reflection and
conversion. By promoting renewal in the spirit of Good Shepherd charism, the chapter safeguards our heritage and is a
source of life and inspiration for the entire congregation. The congregational leader and apostolic and contemplative
councils are elected during this time. The chapter examines reports on the affairs of the congregation, the directions that
have been submitted by congregational assemblies, province chapters, and also those that were sent by local assemblies and
individual Sisters. Chapter addresses issues of general concern and decides directions for the entire congregation. The
congregational website will contain frequent updates to help us all stand in global solidarity during the congregational
chapter and to keep us informed and connected. Visit often at http://www.buonpastoreint.org.
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JUNE 2015
C O M M U N I TY L I F E
Hail to the Grad!
Sister Anna Tram Nguyen received her Master's Degree
on Saturday, May 23, 2015, from the University of San
Francisco with her major in Organizational
Development. Sr. Tram went to college in Louisville,
Kentucky, before transferring to the University of San
Francisco to finish her Bachelor of Arts degree in
Theology. Sr. Tram’s post-secondary studies entailed two
additional years of dedicated academic performance.
“Sr. Tram is to be heartily commended for her academic
excellence!” said Sr. Marguerite Bartling.
The Sisters in the San Francisco community and
residents at Good Shepherd Gracenter held a dinner
party to honor Sr. Tram and celebrate her achievement. They planned a menu and prepared an Asian meal
of fried rice, orange chicken, fresh salad and Vietnamese
egg rolls. The revelers capped off the meal with a
decorated cake. “The residents at Gracenter were so happy to help plan
and organize this special event for Sr. Tram, as she has
done so much for the women at Gracenter,” Sr.
Marguerite said.
“Sr. Tram shops for their groceries each week and
always purchases their favorite foods and snacks. She has
been the on-call staff for Gracenter every Sunday, and
has been an active participant in all of the activities at
Gracenter,” Sr. Marguerite said.
Sr. Tram said she especially thanks Sr. Barbara Beasley
and Sr. Mercy de Leon for their assistance and support in
helping her to complete her hard work in school. As an
expression of her thanks to
the Sisters in her community,
Sr. Tram quoted St. Mary
Euphrasia and said,
“Gratitude is always the
memory of the heart!”
Sr. Tram had a day of surprises following
her formal cap and gown graduation
ceremony. The San Francisco community
honored her with flowers, balloons, a
decorated cake and a very unique
headpiece.
New Contact Info
Albania bound
Sr. Claudia earns MSSW
Sr. Marilyn Atwell
900 Trellises Drive, Apt. 516
Florence, KY 41042
651-343-0720
Srs. Madeleine Munday and
Glynis McManamon will visit Sr.
Olga Cristobal in Albania before
going to the Chapter in Angers.
Watch for a story next month.
Sr. Claudia Palacio earned her
Masters of Social Work degree in
May. She was unavailable for a
photo and story. Read about her
achievement next month.
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JUNE 2015
Sing it out Sisters!
The Sisters at St. Joseph Residence are exuberant about
practicing songs for Mass. Sr. Mary Carol McClenon, who leads
them in music activities, said, “Choir practice is our catch-all
phrase for learning or reviewing songs. We did combined choir
practice in the chapel with both Baltimore communities during
Lent and other times when we have special music to learn for a
Feast. The Sisters in St. Joseph Residence really enjoy it, while the
Good Shepherd Services Sisters aren't so eager.” Sr. Mary Carol believes that singing has a stimulating effect on the
Sisters at St. Joseph. For example, she said, “Sr. Joanne becomes
quite animated and eventually works up to conducting with her
arms, and Sr. Laetitia likes to ham it up.”
“All of the Sisters enjoy taking turns picking songs they’d like to
sing at Mass. We sing at every Mass -- all of us who are able, and
some of us who can only croak, too,” said Sr. Mary Carol.
Sisters at St. Joseph Residence enjoy getting
together to learn and review songs for Mass.
Immaculate Heart Convent sings
the joys of consecrated life
By Sr. Christopher Mullan
Looking for a way to answer the Holy Father's call to celebrate
this Year of Consecrated Life, the retired community of
Immaculate Heart Convent came upon the song, "Wake the
World with Dawning Joy.” Since each verse paraphrases the
words used by the Holy Father to express his hopes and
purpose for the year, the song serves as a way to remind us, as
retired religious, to pray in union with all consecrated persons
to ensure that the year may be fruitful. One day each week at
Immaculate Heart "Wake the World with Dawning Joy" is part
of the liturgy of the day, either at Mass or Evening Prayer. One hurdle in launching this project was the fact that the
original sheet music copy is in very small print. At Immaculate
Heart LARGE PRINT is popular. Multiple experiments
resulted in a printed sheet that just fits the bill. We will be
happy to send a copy of the sheet music to anyone who would
find it useful. Together we could fill the World with Dawning
Joy.
You can hear the song “Wake the World with Dawning Joy and
also download the sheet music for it at http://
www.vocationnetwork.org/articles/show?id=455.
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JUNE 2015
May crowning of Our Lady
Young Tessa has been growing up among the Sisters in
Baltimore. She is home-schooled by her mother, so she
has a flexible schedule and often brings her dog
Chocolate to visit the Sisters.
On May 10, 2015, the weather held off nicely so the
Sisters could hold the annual May Devotions
outdoors. Sisters from Good Shepherd Services and
St. Joseph Residence communities gathered at 1:30
p.m. for a May Procession and May Crowning. The
statue of Our Lady Mother of the Good Shepherd,
which was brought to Baltimore when the house in
Reading, Pennsylvania, closed, is located in plain view
from the windows at the St. Joseph Residence
community room, so the Sisters who were unable to
come outside participated from a comfortable
location. We sang Marian hymns and brought roses to
Our Lady. Some of the roses had been sent to Sr.
Teresa Floyd as a Mother's Day gift from a former
student! Finally, Tessa crowned the Blessed Mother. Tessa is the daughter of our staff member Barbara. The statue is quite tall, so in spite of the ladder Tessa
was unable to reach Our Lady's head. Therefore she
placed the crown on the lamb in Our Lady's arms.
Convent mission partner Donna Wells made the
decorations and floral crown.
Submitted by Sr. Mary Carol McClenon
Each year Tessa (above) and the
Sisters in Baltimore look forward
to the May Procession and
Crowning of Our Lady Mother of
the Good Shepherd.
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JUNE 2015
Journey of faith
By Maria Droste
Contemplative Community
The Contemplative Sisters of the
Archdiocese of St. Louis, Missouri,
were invited on May 4, 2015 by
Most Reverend Edward M. Rice,
Sister Marysia, RSM, and Lynne
Lang for a day of prayer and
recollection at Mount Grace
Convent of Perpetual Adoration,
where the nuns are commonly called
Pink Sisters because of their rose
colored habit. The Knights of
Columbus transported Sisters to and
from Mount Grace Convent.
Challenge to take courage
The day began with the vocation
story of Bishop Rice and was
followed by his keynote presentation.
He emphasized that we are on a
“journey of faith.” The Bishop
urged us to take courage through
fidelity and zeal, putting our heart
into our prayer-filled daily lives. If
we are empowered by the Holy
Spirit we will face challenges for
whatever the future holds.
Bishop Rice went on to say that as
consecrated contemplative women
we have a special call in the Church
to keep watch at the dawning of the
day through our prayer, charism and
spirituality. We are a “sign” of good
things to come as we search for the
face of God.
The Bishop spoke about human
formation being needed to build
quality community life. He said that
in a community it is necessary to
cultivate those qualities which are
required in all human relationships.
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After he spoke of this we had time
to reflect and share about what we
are doing together as a community
of love. We were anxious to learn
from one another, as there were
many common practices among us,
as well as the various structures and
traditions. We really experienced
what the meaning of “unity in
diversity” means as we came
together as contemplatives living
different charisms and lifestyles.
Mission of prayer
We spent more time in table sharing
and group sessions in the afternoon.
We had come together from
different congregations and different
nationalities, yet our mission of
prayer was the same. We are all
intercessors for the entire world. As
Carmelites, Pink Sisters,
Redemptoristines, and Good
Shepherd Sisters we live the Paschal
Mystery with joy, experiencing the
presence of God in our
communities. It was an amazing
experience. Although most of us
had just met one another on the day
of prayer it was as if we had always
known each other.
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We began creating action plans to
address the needs of our
communities. We addressed caring
for our elderly and ill Sisters, looking
at the generation gaps, formation,
vocation ministry and more. The
time passed all too quickly and we
expressed to Sr. Marysia our desire
to spend another day together!
JUNE 2015
C O M M U N I TY LIFE
Day of prayer Cont’d from p. 7
Happy reunions
The day of prayer also held some happy reunions. Sr.
Sharon Rose reconnected with the Redemptoristine
Sisters, renewing a 30-year friendship. Sr. Sharon Rose
had made two retreats with them in Liguori and visited
the Sisters often when the Fathers there were her
spiritual directors.
Another surprising moment occurred when Sr. Mary
Helen, a Redemptoristine nun, told us that she had been
an apostolic Good Shepherd Sister for 10 years in the
Philippines. She remembered Sr. Madge, and they
shared fond memories together. We noticed that over
half of the Pink Sisters were Filipina, so we are sure that
everyone can imagine the joy this brought to both Sr.
Madge and Sr. Beth. They all bonded as family and the
rest of us had fun watching them speak in Tagalog! It
was truly a day to be cherished in all of our hearts.
Symbol of unity
Before we closed for the day each Congregation wove
together a cross signifying our oneness in our unique
calling. Lynne Lang framed them for us and we were
given the woven cross as a remembrance of our special
day together. We express our gratitude to Most Reverend
Edward M. Rice and Lynne Lang for their presentations
and for Sr. Marysia who organized and planned this day
of graces, as well as providing delicious snacks and a
noon meal. We cannot forget to mention Archbishop
Robert Carlson who gave his blessing on our day and
encouraged us to attend. It was really a day worth
recalling as contemplatives praying for the whole world,
that we are one in the spirit and one in the Lord. We look
forward to the next journey of faith as we face the future
of the contemplative nuns in St. Louis, Missouri.
Sister Marysia Weber, Director of the Office of
Consecrated Life for the Archdiocese of St. Louis,
organized the day of prayer after meeting the Adoration
Sisters at their Open House and having a conversation
with them about their spiritual needs. The Sisters
lamented that there had not been a collaborative day of
prayer among contemplative Sisters since 1985 and that
they felt unfulfilled by not having a time set aside for
contemplatives to come together for prayer and holy
sacrifice. Sr. Marysia relayed what she had heard to
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Archbishop Robert J. Carlson and Auxiliary Bishop
Edward M. Rice.
“Bishop Rice and Archbishop Carlson see the
contemplative Sisters as a powerhouse of prayer and
joyful witness to the love of God. When they learned of
the longing the contemplative Sisters felt for a
collaborative day of prayer, we began planning
immediately to meet this need,” Sr. Marysia said.
Sr. Marysia coordinated the day of prayer with the
assistance of Bishop Rice and Lynne Lang, who works in
the Catholic Education Office as Director of School
Climate for the Archdiocese.
“Our contemplative Sisters represent the jewel of the
Kingdom of God through their life of prayer, love and
sacrifice. We want to do whatever we can to always meet
their needs, “Sr. Marysia said.
JUNE 2015
S IS TER S TO RIES
Sister Caridad honored
for volunteer service
Holy Cross Hospital in Washington,
DC, bestowed a special honor on Sr.
Caridad Tamayo on May 3rd, when it
awarded her a service pin at a
banquet at the Marriott Hotel in
North Bethesda for her volunteer
work. Sr. Caridad has given more
than 4,500 hours of volunteer service
to the hospital over the course of
nearly nine years.
“It was so wonderful,” said Sr.
Caridad. “The decorations and
flowers were beautiful and the food
delicious. During the talks we were
praised for our service so gratefully. I
felt my
heart full
of love
for what
I do, and
for the
graces I
receive
everyday
when I
help
those
who are
reaching
the end of their lives and there is
nothing for them to do but trust and
believe that God is everything in our
lives. We must confide in Him to the
end,” she said.
Greetings from Sr. Olga Cristobal
Here I am with Sr. Mirjam (l-r), Zuri (Social Worker) and our driver
Tom. We spent the day together on an outing after attending a
seminar on Human Trafficking. The photograph was taken at a
UNESCO SITE in Burint, Albania.
Sr. Caridad said the banquet and
award ceremony were particularly
meaningful for her this year because
her personal physician of more than
30 years, Dr. Jose Quiros, attended
the banquet with his wife to witness
her being honored.
“I was delighted by the whole event!”
said Sr. Caridad.
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Our ever vigilant and camera-ready Sr. Anne Kelley snapped this photo
on Venice Blvd. just a few blocks from the LA shelter.
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JUNE 2015
MI NI S T R Y N E WS
Green thumbs up
The Gracenter Gardening Day on May 16 was a big
success, with 22 people helping to pull weeds, plant native
flowers and beautify the grounds. A luncheon capped the
morning for the hard-working Sisters, Gracenter
residents and neighborhood volunteers, former residents,
Good Shepherd Guild members and friends of the staff
and their
children.
Sr. Marguerite
Bartling said,
“Everybody had
a fabulous time.
The highlights
of the day were
seeing the new
brick border
completed on
the flower bed,
a weeded rose
garden with
fresh mulch in
place and a
delicious homemade lunch.” The group
planted native
drought tolerant
succulents that
were donated
by the Good
Shepherd
Guild. The day
was pleasant
and not too hot,
according to Sr.
Marguerite. She
said, “We
completed our
tasks just in time
for lunch and a
relaxing
afternoon.”
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Rose Haven
Cont’d from p. 1
started with a beautiful
reception with mimosas,
pastries, coffee, raffles and
live entertainment. A
leisurely 5k walk followed
the morning festivities.
Walkers strolled through
northwest Portland, which included a tour of Rose Haven.
Along the way, merchants handed out goodies to the
walkers, including roses and chocolates. Participants and
Rose Haven guests walked together, toting red umbrellas to
raise awareness about Rose Haven. More than $50,000 was
raised to support services for the homeless and abused
women and children that Rose Haven serves in Portland.
Learn more about Rose Haven at www.rosehaven.org..
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JUNE 2015
Faith leaders call an end to
mass immigration detention
Larry Couch, Director of Good Shepherd National
Advocacy Center, and 17 other faith leaders met recently
with Melissa Rogers, Special Assistant to the President and
Executive Director of the White House Office of Faithbased and Neighborhood Partnerships and other senior
White House staff, to demand the end of mass immigrant
detention. The participants delivered a letter signed by
1,500 leaders affiliated with various religious denominations
decrying a detention policy that shatters families and
traumatizes children.
At the meeting, participants spoke of the despair of women
and children in detention. Women have gone on hunger
strikes and one woman attempted suicide. They spoke of the
impact of prolonged detention on babies and toddlers and
children in general. They spoke of women and children
who were torture victims or otherwise have been already
traumatized in their home country or during their flight to
safety. The faith leaders urged President Obama to end the
costly and inhumane detention policy.
Hearty congratulations and
many blessings to Sr. Agnes
Nolan, who celebrates her
75th Jubilee on June 29.
items of interest
Larry Couch, Director of Good Shepherd National
Advocacy Center (far right), stands with other faith
leaders in Washington, DC, calling for an end to mass
immigration detention.
After 44 years of service
to Good Shepherd,
CORA’s Executive Director
Jim Harron is retiring.
CORA will throw a
farewell party for Jim on
June 26 in Philadelphia.
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The Good Shepherd Shelter in Los
Angeles is gearing up for summer
camp. This year's camp will
include performing arts to help
children heal through selfexpression. The shelter is raising
money for the camp. You can
donate to the cause at http://
bit.ly/1d3XjYI
JUNE 2015
CORA Charity Circle
CORA Services held its inaugural Charity’s Circle Event
at the Union League in Philadelphia on May 12, 2015.
The purpose of the Charity Circle was to honor those
individuals who have committed resources to the future
growth and vital programming of CORA Services.
Daniel Fitzpatrick and Walt D’Alessio co-chaired the
event, which included networking and an early morning
breakfast program that celebrated 44 years of CORA’s
community impact. CORA assists children, youth and
families experiencing emotional, academic and social
challenges which impede their development and
productivity. The Charity Circle Event was
complimentary and by invitation only.
Sr. Marie Sowerby straightens a pin on the lapel of
Board vice chair Kenneth Garber.
Guests listened attentively and appreciatively to the
presentations and program that celebrated CORA’s 44
years of community impact.
Breakfast guests learned about the early history of
CORA Services, beginning with its founding
administrator Sr. Mary Charity Kohl, RGS (top) and
enjoyed opportunities to network with one another
(bottom).
Taking time out from the Charity Circle to have their
photograph taken are from left: AnnMarie
Schultz,CORA’s current Chief of Operations and
incoming Chief Executive Officer; William G. Becker,
CORA Board Chair; Kenneth N. Garber, CORA Vice
Chair; and Jim Harron, CORA Chief Executive Officer
who will retire on June 30.
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JUNE 2015
GSS Baltimore holds annual safety fair
By Sr. Mary Carol McClenon
Good Shepherd Services Baltimore
held its 9th annual Safety Fair in
May. The event is a fun and efficient
way to do mandatory annual training
updates required for all staff.
We play ‘Safety Feud’ based on
Family Feud and Jeopardy. The
students have a safety poster contest,
and there is a safety essay contest. Other activities geared at the
students include visits from
community police and our local
firefighters.
Angela Holland, Education
Administrator for Good Shepherd
School, gave a shout-out to all the
students and staff who attended the
Baltimore County Fire Department’s
fire safety presentation.
“The kids remained safe, asked
appropriate and some very complex
questions and stayed engaged. The
Fire Department was impressed by
our students and said their behavior
was better than many public schools
they visit. Once again, when we set
high expectations for our students
they always meet and sometimes
exceed those expectations,” Angela
said.
“Thank you to all the Education
staff and Mrs. Beth for making such
a big production seem effortless. I’m
beyond impressed!” Angela said.
The annual CORA for Kids Golf
Classic will be held at the
Melrose Country Club in
Philadelphia on June 8. The
event includes rounds of golf, a
luncheon, meet ’n greet cocktail
reception and awards dinner.
There will also be a raffle for
extraordinary prizes. Proceeds
support the mission of CORA
Services. Mike Schell and Joe
Falco are co-chairs of the golf
classic. For information contact
[email protected]
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Years ago, the Safety Fair Committee
commissioned a college art student
to develop the mascot for the Safety
Fair. The Peacenik mascot spreads
messages of safety and peace around
campus. The mascot approaches
students and asks them for recent
examples of safe behavior, or
encourages students to be safe. Essentially the students got a sticker,
along with a bag of pretzels this year,
if they were able to have a
conversation about safety and safe
behaviors. The sticker always has
Peacenik on it giving a peace sign,
along with the year's theme. The
theme this year was ‘Don't Learn
Safety by Accident.’
This year there was a team of "safety
minions" who accompanied the
Peacenik. They sang their own song
with safety related lyrics. It was
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From top: Students listen to
firefighters as they talk about fire
safety. The comical Peacenik
mascot adds levity to the Safety
Fair. Students participate each
year in a safety poster contest
that’s related to the theme.
rather cute. The students laugh at
the volunteer wearing the very large
costume, which helps lighten their
mood. Almost all students have a
positive experience. We don't
approach anyone in crisis. The whole
event is designed to stir up interest
and excitement among the students.
JUNE 2015
25th Journey of Hope Luncheon
By Sr. Glynis McManamon
Sr. Mary Catherine Massei and I
were so glad that we were able to
attend Maryhurst’s 25th Journey of
Hope Luncheon on May 19 at the
Marriott in Louisville, Kentucky. The luncheon, which began in 1991
with 20 or so participants at
Vincenzo’s Restaurant, has grown
and grown over the years. This year
had the highest attendance ever,
with more than 750 guests.
about the need for people to be the
voice for the voiceless.
Liz Curtis Higgs, Kentucky author
and speaker who describes herself
as an “encourager,” talked about
the mission of Maryhurst. She
invited guests to step up and
contribute to support Maryhurst,
and quoted Saint Mary Euphrasia
warmly throughout her keynote.
Gorgeous jewelry and artwork
made by the girls at Maryhurst were
offered for sale before and after the
luncheon, in addition to raffle items
that included gift certificates and
bundled packages for restaurants,
nights on the town and spa and
relaxation.
The growth in support for
Maryhurst over the past 25 years
has been very, very steady. It’s
incredible to see how many people
are allied with us in the Good
Shepherd Mission in Louisville and
in the whole of Kentucky! To hear
the words of St. Mary Euphrasia
being spoken by Liz Curtis Higgs
was a surprise and such a blessing.
Maryhurst inaugurated The
Butterfly Awards this year in honor
of the luncheon’s 25th anniversary.
The award recognizes corporations,
individuals and organizations who
have had a significant impact on the
lives of Maryhurst children.This
year’s honorees were BrownForman, the Junior League and
Kentucky State Representative
Jimmie Lee, who spoke eloquently
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By the way, Liz Curtis Higg’s best
selling book is Bad Girls of the Bible.
Alumna of
the Year
Alumna of the
Year Sheri
Clarry was a
resident on the
Maryhurst
campus from
1977-1979. She
said Maryhurst
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Maryhurst Alumna of the Year
Sheri Clarry (left) accepts an
award from Judy Lambeth,
Executive Director of Maryhurst,
while keynote speaker Liz Curtis
Higgs applauds.
gave her an eye opening
experience where a love/hate
relationship developed. She soon
realized she was being given an
opportunity to grow and excel as
a young teen and quickly
embraced that to turn her life
around.
“It felt exhilarating and I could
actually breathe for the first
time,” she recalled. Now having
the confidence to love who she is
and speak up for what she
believes in, Sheri is enjoying the
ride of life and knows she is a
survivor.
Today Sheri can be found in
Sarasota Florida, where she has
worked as a personal trainer for
25 years. A mother of four, Sheri
most recently adopted her sixweek old grandson. Her positive
attitude and joy in life shows
how truly far she has come and
how Maryhurst helped her get
there.
JUNE 2015
S A C RED EA RTH
Zealing at the
Western Edge
By Sr. Joan Spiering
My favorite province assembly
location was the one along the
Chattahoochee River in Georgia.
The spacious grounds for walks and
the architecture of the buildings
promoted community. After dinner,
we naturally migrated to the
fireplace room to share the day’s
experiences or play cards.
At our province merger meeting
there, I introduced an environmental
proposal on behalf of the Portland
Community. As the words left my
mouth, a member stood up and said:
“We’ve been recycling for years.
Why do we need an environmental
goal?” I resisted the urge to say
something snarky.
Hoping for the big shift
I kept trying. Spurred on by the trust
that environmentally friendly actions
were indeed taking place across the
province, I kept hoping for the BIG
shift. To what? To a striking unified
province effort on behalf of
“protecting the earth and the poor.”
(cf. Pope Francis)
At the Western Edge in Rockaway
Beach, I can fire my GS zeal for care
of the earth at St. Mary’s by the Sea
and beyond. During Lent, I was able
to put together and facilitate a care
of the earth series.
In our logo, designed by parishioner
Doris Matthews, a heart encircles
fragile earth which rides the waves of
the sea. Very symbolic for a Catholic
church that sits on the Pacific coast!
A May 2nd half day workshop on
protecting water capped off our
items of interest
Sr. Joan Spiering (no rain coat) attends a meeting at her local watershed.
spring efforts. Fred Wright, parish
member and recently retired
environmental consultant led, the
presentations with stunning photos
and a Power Point. Participants
learned ways that moving earth for
construction, farming, logging, or
building roads can have beneficial or
negative impacts on water supply for
humans, fish and other animals and
plants. There was time to talk about
what we can do to safeguard this
precious resource.
Hall and continued at the watershed.
It was raining! Besides developing a
new lexicon, I found myself in a
venue I hadn’t anticipated when I
left home without rain gear.
I asked a friend to take a picture for
Items of Interest. The editor of the
newsletter, Jeanette McDermott, said
the picture has the feel of a photo
bomb. I had to ask her what that
means. And so it goes for zeal at the
Western Edge. Doesn't this look like
fun? It is!
Fish passage
Finally, I want to share a photo of a
meeting I attended recently (top
photo). The topic of the meeting was
a project for fish passage in the Jetty
Creek Watershed which supplies
drinking water for Rockaway Beach.
Present were engineers, a public
works director, forestry personnel
and a few dedicated citizens. We
began in a conference room of City
1! 5
Photo bomb!
JUNE 2015
C EL EB RA TI O N S O F L I F E
In the meantime, she had learned of the Good Shepherd
Congregation, the Magdalen’s, and St. Mary Euphrasia.
She inquired into the possibility of entering the
Magdalen Community in St. Paul. She was encouraged,
but it was suggested that she enter the community in
Omaha, Nebraska, as the weather in St. Paul might be
too severe for her. She entered in Omaha in 1946 and
was given the name of Rose Virginia. She took her first
Vows July 22, 1948 and after 31 happy years there,
Sister was missioned to St. Paul, Minnesota. After
Vatican II she took the name Teresita, which means
Little Terese.
Sr. Teresita loved the Community’s companion Heidi and
was rarely seen without Heidi by her side.
Sister Teresita Mater
11 October 1921 – 27 May 2015
On a beautiful fall day, in the midst of the Great
Depression, Tracy began her life October 11, 1921 at
Olmitz, Kansas. She was the youngest of 12 children:
five brothers and six sisters.
From the testimony of her lived experience, she could
declare with conviction and describe with enthusiasm the
unique delights of growing up in the heart of a large
family, on a farm in Kansas. Her parents migrated to
America from Sumwald, Marovia, in 1899. Her father
died in 1924 and her brother Alfons, 23, was named
legal guardian of his 11 siblings. From the age of three
Tracy regarded Alfons as the father figure in her life.
After she graduated from St. John’s Academy High
School in Wichita Tracy went on to take a secretarial
course and worked as a secretary until she was 23 years
old. With the aid of her Franciscan Spiritual Director,
she discerned her desire for the enclosed life and applied
for admission to the Poor Clare Community in Spokane,
Washington. She was accepted, and to her dismay her
health began to decline. She already had misgivings
about the certainty of her Call to the Poor Clare’s.
items of interest
1! 6
During her 67 years of vowed life Sr. Teresita used her
many gifts and talents for her communities’ benefit and
served in many capacities. She served as local leader in
both the Omaha and St. Paul communities. In Omaha
she worked in the sewing room and loved gardening.
Sister was blessed with an outstanding memory and
usually served as our local historian. Sr. Teresita was a
proficient writer and handled all of our correspondence.
She was the heart of our community, a heart filled with
gratitude.
Submitted by Sr. Beverly Hedgecoth
Sister Monica Nowak
20 February 1945 – 1 May 2015
Sister Monica’s parents were John and Martha (Skop)
Nowak. Sr. Monica was born premature and almost
died. John was Martha’s second husband, so there were
two parts of the family. It was a homey family, with
delicious food. Sr. Monica loved good food and enjoyed
cooking. She brought this love of cooking with her to the
convent. Sisters would often wake up to the aroma of Sr.
Monica’s baking bread.
Sr. Monica entered the Good Shepherd congregation on
September 8, 1963, and was one of the first to go to our
interprovincial formation in St. Paul after the Second
Vatican Council. She loved her vocation as a Sister of
the Good Shepherd and carried that love through her
work. Sr. Monica dressed as a clown to bring joy to
others. She and Sr. Noreen Sheedy often wore their
JUNE 2015
Sr. Monica Cont’d from p. 16
clown costumes to meetings and Community gatherings, which kept
everyone in good spirits. Both of the Sisters enjoyed entertaining others.
Monica loved her Sisters, and they treasured her caring for them.
The gift Sr. Monica brought to her work in vocations was an ability to
call forth in others the best they could be. She met people where they
were and used that gift to support others. She had relationships with
people in all walks of life and always honored them for who they are. Sr.
Monica had a keen “other awareness” for people and touched the lives
of all she met. This love for others deepened throughout her life and
grew more beautiful.
Sr. Monica’s many duties included vocation and formation ministries.
She was often sent where the need was greatest. She eared many degrees,
which she used in her various works. She helped people be all that God
wanted them to be. She trained many Sisters and Lay Partners in new
ways and ministries. Sr. Monica helped develop and grow the Associate
Program.
Sr. Monica was named Chief Executive Officer of Rosemont in
Columbus, Ohio. She loved the work and gave herself unreservedly to it.
She was later assigned to Marycrest in Cleveland, as administrator. She
saw the need in leadership and left the post that she loved so well to
Sr. Monica Nowak
respond to a new province need. She went to Lourdsmont to help with
fundraising, and stayed through the move to Scranton, Pennsylvania.
Her health deteriorated steadily. She was missioned to Vista Maria in
Detroit and left there to go to Pelletier Hall to await God’s call to heaven. She became an inspiration to all of us as she
awaited God’s call, ever becoming weaker, ever living in and with God, loving her Sisters and the Lay Partners, pushing
herself to be with and in Community. At the end of each day she would pray, “Lord, Jesus, have mercy on me, a sinner.
Submitted by Sr. Elise Kramer and Sr. Dolores Kalina
Sister Regina Mayr
8 February 1930 – 5 May 2015
Katherine Mary Mayr was born in Dubuque, Iowa, to John and
Katharina Mayr, who came to this country from Bavaria
Germany, providentially five years before Hitler’s storm clouds
were forming for World War II.
Katherine’s father was a butcher by trade. Her mother lost two
children in childbirth. They were blessed with the arrival of their
one and only precious little daughter. Sister is survived by two
cousins in Germany and a long-time friend, Mr. Jack Thompson,
who was like a brother to her. Katherine was taught by the
Franciscan nuns and had the privilege of beginning piano with
Sr. Regina Mayr
items of interest
1! 7
JUNE 2015
Sr. Regina Cont’d from p. 17
them at age seven and organ
instruction in the Sisters’
conservatory. At 13 she became the
church organist under her father,
who was the choir director.
In her young years, Katherine
wanted to be a Sister and her
confessor suggested she visit the
Good Shepherd nuns for whom he
was also director. Sister was
attracted by their cloistered prayer
life. She entered and was clothed on
February 8, 1949. She was
professed in 1951 and made final
vows on August 19, 1954. She was
given the name of John the Baptist
in honor of her father. Years later,
when names were changed, she
again honored her father by taking
the name Regina, which was his
mother’s name.
Sister was never able to return to
her hometown convent in Dubuque
because it became necessary to
close the house. In fact, each of the
houses in which she ministered were
closed: Dubuque, Sioux City,
Omaha and Denver. In each of
these houses Sister worked with girls
and did secretarial work for the
superiors. Sister loved her stay in
Denver with its surrounding
mountains and loving Sisters and
staff. Here she began to use her
music again in a choir for the girls.
This was a period of contentment
for eight years, until it became
necessary to close the house and
return to St. Paul.
prepared youngsters for First
Communion and was on call for
whatever parish needs arose.
In St. Paul, Sr. Regina continued
with her music and was also given
permission to study for an LPN so
that she could use the nursing skills
for our Sisters and girls. After
completing the training she was “on
call” for medical need until the
program was closed and the Sisters
moved into their spacious new
grounds on Hodgson Road, outside
the city of St. Paul.
Sister remained devoted to her
prayer life and once said, “For my
vow of zeal, I offer all that I do to
save souls.” Surely the choirs of
heaven are singing their
appreciation for all she has done
here below.
Sister next went to work in the city
parishes, like many other staff
members. This was a ministry she
continued with joy for 16 years. She
worked in St. Charles Boromeo
Parish doing pastoral care. She
As Sister Regina’s health began to
decline from neuropathy, she had
trouble walking and began using a
cane. She retired to Immaculate
Heart on January 22, 2004. Sister’s
musical talents again became
greatly appreciated. Her playing the
organ allowed our choir director to
truly direct the choir.
Sr. Mary Regina died very
peacefully on May 5. She will be
missed very much by the Sisters, the
Staff and all who loved her. May
she intercede for us from her
Heavenly home.
Submitted by Sr. Pauline Bilbrough
Joanne Bellisari, Companion of Jesus Good Shepherd
Joanne Bellisari
items of interest
Joanne S. Bellisari was a Good
Shepherd Companion. She passed
into the loving arms of God on May
10 after a lengthy illness. She was 69.
Joanne retired from Graham Ford
after 35 years of dedicated service.
She was a long-time active member
of Our Lady of Victory Church and
Grandview High School Alumni
Association. Joanne was very proud
of her Italian heritage! She loved
everything Italian. The best food was
1! 8
Italian. The best place to travel was
Italy. Joanne professed private vows
as a Jesus the Good Shepherd
Companion and was devoted to the
core values and teachings of Saint
Mary Euphrasia. One of her closest
friends in life was Sister Dorothy
Doyle. In lieu of flowers, Joanne’s
family requested that memorial
contributions be made to Sisters of
the Good Shepherd Victims of
Domestic Violence Fund.
JUNE 2015
items of interest
1! 9
JUNE 2015
LEA DERS H IP S CH EDULE
NAME
DAT ES
LOC AT ION
Sr. Sharon Rose Authorson
No travel
No travel
Sr. Jean Marie Fernandez
June 1
Vocation talks Year of Consecrated Life, San Francisco
June 4-10
Canon law workshop, Dallas, PA
June 11-20
Retreat, St. Louis
Sr. Beverly Hedgecoth
June 10-19
Retreat, St. Louis
Sr. Maureen Johnson
June 1-July 4
Congregation Chapter, Angers, France
Sr. Dolores Kalina
June 4-11
June 12-22
Home visit
June 25-27
CORA visit, Philadelphia
June 27-30
Visit with Silver Spring community
June 1-3
St. Louis
June 4-10
June 11-18
St. Louis retreat
June 19-21
St. Paul visit
June 22
Travel to Blane, WA
June 3-10
June 11-14
Visit St. Joseph Residence, Baltimore
Sr. Mary Carolyn McQuaid
June 3-10
Sr. Madeleine Munday
June 1-4
Visit Sr. Olga, Tirana, Albania
June 5-July 4
Congregation Chapter, Angers, France
Sr. Maureen Kunz
Sr. Marie Maurer
items of interest
2
! 0
JUNE 2015
P RO V IN C E C O N TA C T
“Always lift them up in their own eyes.”
Saint Mary Euphrasia
Rose Ohiku and her young charge at Chicago House of the Good Shepherd.
Contact us
Jeanette McDermott, editor & communications coordinator
314-381-3400, ext. 28
Sisters of the Good Shepherd
Province of Mid-North America
7654 Natural Bridge Road
St. Louis, MO 63121
[email protected]
Follow us on facebook & Twitter
314-381-3400; 314-381-7102 fax
www.facebook.com/Sistersofthegoodshepherd
@GoodShepherdRGS (twitter)
ITEMS OF INTERES T
Sisters of the Good Shepherd
Province of Mid-North America
7654 Natural Bridge Road
St. Louis, MO 63121
items of interest
2
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Items of Interest

Transcription

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